Trump baselessly claims that Jan. 6 instigators and Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot were 'fake' in CPAC speech, video shows

• Trump baselessly said Jan. 6 instigators and a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer were "fake."
• He alluded to conspiracy theories about the Capitol riot being orchestrated by FBI agents.

Donald Trump said Capitol riot instigators and the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were "fake" in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday.

The former president made the comments after talking about the January 6 Congressional hearings, which he called a "one-sided witch hunt."

"As another example, the sting they did involving Gretchen Whitmer was fake. Just like those who instigated January 6. It was a fake deal. Fake. It was a fake deal," Trump said.

"Gretchen Whitmer was in less danger than the people sitting in this room right now."

In 2020 the FBI said it had thwarted a plot by members of a right-wing militia group to kidnap Whitmer and overthrow the state government.

Of the six men initially charged, two pleaded guilty, two were acquitted, and a hung jury was declared for two. A federal judge has ordered a new trial for the two with deadlocked juries.

Trump also alluded to conspiracy theories about the Capitol riot being orchestrated by FBI agents, propagated by his allies, including Ted Cruz and Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson.

The conspiracy theory largely centers around Trump supporter Ray Epps, who attended the riot and was later baselessly accused of being an undercover FBI agent.

Trump has previously mentioned Epps by name, denied any connection to the FBI, and said that the allegations have made his life "hell."

Earlier in the speech on Saturday, Trump described the events of January 6, 2021, as "a protest over a rigged and stolen election that nobody wants to look at. Look at all the people who are in prison whose lives have been destroyed on January 6, destroyed."

Trump has often expressed sympathy for those charged over the Capitol insurrection and has said he would consider pardoning them if he were to return to office.